Perfect Garage Suggestions
- Thread starter DCTiger
- Start date
- Messages
- 75
More garage info
I built my garage while I was building the house. The garage is 57' wide 25' deep except at the center where the single door is it extends out another 4'. I was only allowed to build 1500 sq. ft. and I made sure it was exactly 1500 sq. ft. I wanted a bathroom but wasn't allowed (they didn't want it converted to living space) I really wish it had a bathroom. I tried to pirate in a drain and lo and behold the inspectors showed up while pouring the foundation. Bottom line I have no bathroom. Other suggestions make the ceilings as high a possible, mine are to low at 10'. Lighting, lighting lots of lighting. It is cheaper to run as much wiring as possible when building then adding it later. Run cable for TV, 220 for compressors etc, electrical outlets everywhere, you can never have enough outlets, wire it for security, I even have video cameras in mine. Pull down ladders for access to the attic are great. There is tons of storage to be had in the attic if you lay down plywood to put items on. Insulate it well. Mine is 2" x 6" framed so I could get a bit more insulation in it. That is all I can think of right now I will add more if I remember anything else.
I built my garage while I was building the house. The garage is 57' wide 25' deep except at the center where the single door is it extends out another 4'. I was only allowed to build 1500 sq. ft. and I made sure it was exactly 1500 sq. ft. I wanted a bathroom but wasn't allowed (they didn't want it converted to living space) I really wish it had a bathroom. I tried to pirate in a drain and lo and behold the inspectors showed up while pouring the foundation. Bottom line I have no bathroom. Other suggestions make the ceilings as high a possible, mine are to low at 10'. Lighting, lighting lots of lighting. It is cheaper to run as much wiring as possible when building then adding it later. Run cable for TV, 220 for compressors etc, electrical outlets everywhere, you can never have enough outlets, wire it for security, I even have video cameras in mine. Pull down ladders for access to the attic are great. There is tons of storage to be had in the attic if you lay down plywood to put items on. Insulate it well. Mine is 2" x 6" framed so I could get a bit more insulation in it. That is all I can think of right now I will add more if I remember anything else.
- Messages
- 462
garage
Figuring out ways for someone to spend money is really fun.
It has been mentioned many times- put in more outlets than you think you will ever need.
Best way to future proof the wiring is to run pvc in the slab in oversized pipe. PVC is unbelievable cheap so this adds almost nothing to the cost. Then daisy chain the outlets so each one is connected to the outlets on either side.
Then pull whatever wire you need. In the future if you want to add something you can just pull more wire. It's really easy to pull wire in pvc, it's much harder in either flex or emt.
If you run your electrical in the walls and cover them you will have to do demo every time you want to add something.
Figuring out ways for someone to spend money is really fun.
It has been mentioned many times- put in more outlets than you think you will ever need.
Best way to future proof the wiring is to run pvc in the slab in oversized pipe. PVC is unbelievable cheap so this adds almost nothing to the cost. Then daisy chain the outlets so each one is connected to the outlets on either side.
Then pull whatever wire you need. In the future if you want to add something you can just pull more wire. It's really easy to pull wire in pvc, it's much harder in either flex or emt.
If you run your electrical in the walls and cover them you will have to do demo every time you want to add something.
1fineAlpine
Silver forum user
- Messages
- 76
Setup
I just recently bought a new house for the same reason: expand for kids and ect. We don't have kids yet, but we want to be ready. Luckily my girlfriend agreed that I needed a bigger place to work on my cars. Our new place has a 30x30 shop with a lean-to on one side and another lean-to (both are full length) along the back which was converted to a wood working shop and is insulated.
I don't plan on getting a lift, but I'd like to add a lean-to to the other side so I can store two more projects I have. I'm in the country though, so a lot different than your situation. I've got the whole shibang for tools as well: engine hoist and stand, parts washer, sandblaster- the portable 110lb one, 4 roll away tool boxes loaded up, jacks and ect. so space is filling up quicker than I wanted, lol. One thing I love is the car dollies I just got. I currently am storing a 68 Tempest for my girlfriends dad so I have my jet boat in the main shop area and the dollies let me configure the Alpine around and then squeeze my Vette up along the boat so I have plenty of work space.
Like stated previously, the builder did not skimp on outlets when building it, and I love it. In my whole shop, including the lean-to's, I've got 26 outlets! Only 1 220 though... I don't have to fight to plug stuff in behind the cars and that's nice. I plan on doing a bathroom and definitely a sink and I'd like a washer for my coveralls at least. I do have a beer fridge as well
I've got some overhead storage that's kind of like a loft in a rear corner but I plan on moving it along the back wall. I guess what I'm getting at is my 2 cents worth which is +1 on getting a lot of outlets installed, overhead storage in the rafters or loft style, car dollies are amazing if you don't have them already, and don't sneak plumbing because we had to clear up a bunch of crap that was snuck in with a guest house behind my shop and it cost us a lot (thanks previous owner!). Also, I don't have good lighting in the main shop, so I'm converting to those new LED shop lights that look like fluorescents.
My dad got some and they are very bright. They only use half the power of standard fluorescents to, so they should help save some money on the power bill. Sounds like you'll have a pretty sweet setup though!
-Kyle
I just recently bought a new house for the same reason: expand for kids and ect. We don't have kids yet, but we want to be ready. Luckily my girlfriend agreed that I needed a bigger place to work on my cars. Our new place has a 30x30 shop with a lean-to on one side and another lean-to (both are full length) along the back which was converted to a wood working shop and is insulated.
I don't plan on getting a lift, but I'd like to add a lean-to to the other side so I can store two more projects I have. I'm in the country though, so a lot different than your situation. I've got the whole shibang for tools as well: engine hoist and stand, parts washer, sandblaster- the portable 110lb one, 4 roll away tool boxes loaded up, jacks and ect. so space is filling up quicker than I wanted, lol. One thing I love is the car dollies I just got. I currently am storing a 68 Tempest for my girlfriends dad so I have my jet boat in the main shop area and the dollies let me configure the Alpine around and then squeeze my Vette up along the boat so I have plenty of work space.
Like stated previously, the builder did not skimp on outlets when building it, and I love it. In my whole shop, including the lean-to's, I've got 26 outlets! Only 1 220 though... I don't have to fight to plug stuff in behind the cars and that's nice. I plan on doing a bathroom and definitely a sink and I'd like a washer for my coveralls at least. I do have a beer fridge as well
I've got some overhead storage that's kind of like a loft in a rear corner but I plan on moving it along the back wall. I guess what I'm getting at is my 2 cents worth which is +1 on getting a lot of outlets installed, overhead storage in the rafters or loft style, car dollies are amazing if you don't have them already, and don't sneak plumbing because we had to clear up a bunch of crap that was snuck in with a guest house behind my shop and it cost us a lot (thanks previous owner!). Also, I don't have good lighting in the main shop, so I'm converting to those new LED shop lights that look like fluorescents.
My dad got some and they are very bright. They only use half the power of standard fluorescents to, so they should help save some money on the power bill. Sounds like you'll have a pretty sweet setup though!
-Kyle
- Messages
- 154
Dollies, Lights and Outlets a must
Kyle,
I agree since I have 2 non runners and with the dollies, it made it easy for one person to roll cars around. Made it perfect for the TAC session when I had to move cars around to get from the back forward.
Lights are a must and to be able to have them under a car is a must as well. I hate the bulb working lights as I have broken the bulbs when I accidentally dropped them numerous times. I am now trying the headlamps with better results.
But I think that lower level lighting is required as well as well as good ceiling lighting. And numerous outlets is good because I still end up using a long extension cord which ends up tripping everybody because I have to cross the garage somehow.
Kyle,
I agree since I have 2 non runners and with the dollies, it made it easy for one person to roll cars around. Made it perfect for the TAC session when I had to move cars around to get from the back forward.
Lights are a must and to be able to have them under a car is a must as well. I hate the bulb working lights as I have broken the bulbs when I accidentally dropped them numerous times. I am now trying the headlamps with better results.
But I think that lower level lighting is required as well as well as good ceiling lighting. And numerous outlets is good because I still end up using a long extension cord which ends up tripping everybody because I have to cross the garage somehow.
1fineAlpine
Silver forum user
- Messages
- 76
Lights
Robert,
Ya I hated when I'd bump my drop light and the bulb would break in the middle of wrenching I use one of those goofy spiral fluorescents in my light now and so far it's held up pretty good but it takes a few mins to warm up fully.
I love those head lamps. My girlfriends dad got me into using them for hunting and all kinds of stuff, especially under cars. I keep forgetting mine in my hunting pack, so I should just buy a couple more to keep around in the shop.
It's no good having people trip on stuff around your cars, especially if you're under one and they fall against the car Just nerve racking...
Robert,
Ya I hated when I'd bump my drop light and the bulb would break in the middle of wrenching
I use one of those goofy spiral fluorescents in my light now and so far it's held up pretty good but it takes a few mins to warm up fully. I love those head lamps. My girlfriends dad got me into using them for hunting and all kinds of stuff, especially under cars. I keep forgetting mine in my hunting pack, so I should just buy a couple more to keep around in the shop.
It's no good having people trip on stuff around your cars, especially if you're under one and they fall against the car
Just nerve racking...